Chapter 10: Mobilize

I woke up after what seemed like only a few hours and looked around. I couldn't see too well since it was so bright in the room. I soon realized I was in a real hospital and everything came flooding back. The school, the tape, the battle, Gary, everything came back in such a blur it was hard to comprehend it all. Then I soon remembered: The girl. Catie had to be okay right? Three doctors were treating her before I went out. That's good. Wait, then Ian called one of them over and now only two helped her. Shit was she okay? I hopped up quickly and I could hear the machine beep rapidly as I moved around. Soon a nurse flew in and told me to relax.

"Where is Anthony? Ian? Kalel? Catie? Anybody?" I asked her. "Just relax. Your friends left about an hour ago. I can go phone them if you want." She said trying to calm me down. "Is Catie okay?" I asked concerned. This question was a lot more important than anything because the truth was I was in love with Catie Wayne. I needed her now more than anything in the world. "I'm not sure. I don't think she was ever checked in." The nurse said solemnly. I slunk back down in my bed as reality rushed over. She was shot in the stomach and there wasn't a doubt in my mind that it hit something major. She was probably dead. "Go ahead and phone my friends. When am I getting out of this heap?" I asked sounding a little rude.

"When the doctor thinks you are ready. You've been in a coma for about two months now." She said calmly. "Two months? Is the school okay?" I asked knowing I never really cared what happened but I was concerned in some way. "They've closed it down since the incident. They've begun a rebuilding process and they happen to be getting a new principal. He's from out of state and they say he is really good. At least that is what the news said. By the way you aren't just any one of those students are you?" She asked curiously. I was a bit surprised since this was completely random. "I was a student, but there probably isn't much there." I said. "No, you are all over the news. They say you saved the school from the attack. They're giving you an honorary award when they get the chance to see you. The president himself is congratulating you!" She said excitedly.

"The president? Great… Can I please see my friends first though, and they helped me along the way." I said. The nurse nodded and walked out as I was left in peace. I wanted to flip the television on to the news to see what the commotion was about. I defended a piece of shit school so what? At what cost did any of this come into play anyway? Yeah I was getting some award, and yeah the president is coming, but out of all of this any other person would have jumped for joy to meet the president. Not me since I really didn't like the government at all. In fact I could easily change the country in no time if I became president. I'd truly give fair and equal treatment for all, and I would be able to do just about anything. That would be quite the victory one day, and that might make up for it. Still I wasn't going into this whole situation happy and smelling like roses like on a fucking wedding day.

Either way I had to show my appreciation for a high honor in some way, but I still would rather not do something like this. I never liked dressing up for special occasions, and I wasn't going to start now. I flipped the television on and sure enough I was all over the news for saving a country I felt like losing all respect for not so long ago. I didn't really save the country but they deemed it necessary to extend my reach of service to saving the country from a small time gang from Florida. They did evolve into a ridiculous empire over time though, and it was only a matter of time before they became terrorists. I guess extending their gratitude wasn't as bad as I thought it was. Hell I might as well milk it for all its worth. I knew there would no doubt be a bunch of nosey reporters sticking microphones and cameras in my face while still recovering. Luckily the hospital had a security system set up so nobody could come in and start shit.

Especially since the president apparently was already in Bullworth and they were setting up a stage in the park close to the vale. The nurse soon came back in and told me that my friends will be here soon. I thanked her and told her to stay with me and watch the news. Frankly she seemed pretty excited and intimidated to be sitting next to me. I guess it isn't normal for most people to sit next to a hero of sorts. Especially one who is being famed as the one who saved the country, and she kept making eye contact with me, and it was a bit uncomfortable to say the least. I will admit she was young, blonde, and kind of cute. She must have been doing this for a short time though since she seemed to have zero experience with some of the equipment, and she was probably shadowing or interning here. Still the fact she can't work a stethoscope worried me since she must have been in charge of putting these needles in me. That's probably why I was out for so long. I guess I misjudged her though since she was doing a better job with it than I thought, so I guess the coma thing was entirely I being a wimp.

It was a little while before I saw Anthony, Ian, and Kalel though. Anthony brought me a new gun, which I really loved just being able to hold. Ian also brought me the knife from the fight, which was the only memory I would be able to hold onto of Catie entirely. Kalel made kind of a cute artwork type thing were it had me holding Catie in my arms. It brought a tear to my eyes when she explained why she did it. She told me it was the only memory that would be burned into her brain for the rest of her life, and how she couldn't imagine what would have happened to her or Anthony if the situation were theirs. I thanked her and gave her a big hug and knew this was the only artwork I could ever truly appreciate. Turns out Kalel and Anthony were going to get married soon and I congratulated them on that.

They invited me to their wedding and I wasn't too sure. I had already caused enough trouble for these three and figure it would be time for all of us to move on. I didn't tell them that I just told them I would think about it. They were a little concerned about my reasoning, and luckily Ian took notice of me on T.V. and broke the awkwardness of it all. Soon some of the Bullworth kids that helped in the fight came and visited their so-called leader being I, and they were glad to see me awake. After all the chaos had settled with the kids quick visits the president soon walked in followed by his security. We shook hands and he congratulated me on this achievement and couldn't wait to give me this award. I explained I couldn't have done it without the help of Ian and Anthony and he promised the same award would go to them as well. Finally I had to tell him about Catie whether I wanted to or not.

I need to dedicate something to her in helping win the battle. He promised that he would think of something and I knew he was being genuine unlike on television. He soon left and I was left with Anthony, Ian, and Kalel again. "So what are we going to do now?" Anthony asked. "We mobilize. Get together as heroes one last time and go to the fucking ceremony." I tried sounding as enthusiastic as possible, but they could see right through it. "This is about Catie isn't it?" Ian asked. My smile faded and I just nodded my head looking out the window. "I'm really sorry. I know a lot of people here would have traded places with you any day if they knew the hurt it would bring you. Also I have something that you might want to see." Anthony said as he pulled a folded napkin out of his pocket.

"I think she would have wanted you to have it. No matter how painful you may get; she would want it kept with you." He explained as I took the napkin. I started unfolding it and I saw red stains soon emerge. I opened it fully and what came rolling out surprised me. It was the bullet that killed her. It was pulled from her body and somehow Anthony saved it for me. I just sat there squeezing the used bullet in my hand and knew in an odd way that Anthony was right. I could almost feel her breath as I held it.

"Thank you. For everything." I said to them. They nodded and soon visiting time was over and they made their departure. Once they were gone I called the nurse in and she came very quickly. "Yes sir?" She asked. "You don't happen to have kept the bullet that was lodged in my chest right?" I asked and she looked at me dumbfounded. She went to ask the doctor and she brought it back on a small platter that they kept stuff like that in after an operation. "Why do you ask?" She asked as I took the bullet out. "I'm wondering do you know of any shops that can make these into necklaces?" I asked her and she told me of a possibility. Soon I would be out and a memory would be complete.